Plan volunteer training youth and encouraging them to send text messages

February 2011: Akoua* is a 9-year-old orphaned of her father who lives with her mother in the community of Toucountouna, in north-western Benin. A few weeks ago, her teacher convinced Akoua’s mother to give the child into her care to provide her with a better future. Shortly afterwards, the teacher withdrew Akoua from school under the pretense she would prefer to learn a profession rather than attending class, while in fact she used the girl to take care of the teacher’s newborn.

“I would like to return to school so I can continue with education and don’t end up being poor,” explained Akoua.

Messaging system

Akoua’s story is only one of many Plan Benin’s child protection team was made aware of since the start of  project aiming to bring support to children victim of abuse, violence and neglect via SMS reporting. In the first phase the project targeted 50 youth from Plan working areas in Couffo and Atakora to train them and encourage to send text messages with name, age and address of a child which is being maltreated or abused.

“So far we have received 30 alerts and provided support to 25 children in distress. Five more cases are in process. Our statistics show that most abuses happen at home (13 cases out of 25), on girls (21 against 4 boys), and are mostly related to corporal punishment (19 out of 25), psychological violence (12 of 25) and to a lesser extent, sexual violence (4 of 25). Child victims of violence are mostly aged, 6 to 11,” said Romeo Essou, project coordinator.

After its initial pilot phase, the project now expands to reach all the communities in Atacora and Couffo.

Plan Benin's child protection team cares for children victims of violence 

Situation in Benin

Akoua’s case finished with a happy ending as thanks to Plan’s intervention, local village authorities worked together to bring Akoua back to school.

Like in many other countries, in Benin, the incidence of violence against children is high: due to low awareness and fear of retaliation many cases remain un-reported and only few child victims find adequate support.

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Read more about Plan's work in Benin.

* Name changed for child protection reasons